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The old testament is filled with story. When we typically read any story, we find ourselves choosing a perspective. This perspective is typically the one of the protagonist/hero or the victim/oppressed in need of saving. Very rarely if at all do we read ourselves into the role of the antagonist/villain.

A call to repentance…

God poured out grace to Pharaoh. He was allowed the opportunity to repent and free the Israelites. His heart, however, grew harder and his stubbornness became impenetrable. Egypt was an empire and Pharaoh was the center of its leadership, authority, and power. Its economy demanded more so that it could consume more. It was oppressive in nature because of the demands for excess.

The desert…

God calls us into the desert in order to simplify and purge out the strongholds that have become mini-gods in our lives. It is a trying time that sometimes leads us to believe that God is absent more than He is present. It’s a time where we feel displaced and unsure of our survivability. We feel like we’re living backwards because we hold on to the belief that adding things to our lives creates our identity. It is in the desert, however, where we learn to wholly depend on God and truly discover that He is all we need and the source of our true identity.

Manna…

God is our provider in every way. When the Israelites were walking through the desert, they began to hunger and so God provided manna. The caveat of manna was that you were only to collect what was needed for the day. If they collected more (hoarding), it would mold. Why would God do this? Maybe the better question is “Why would we do this?” Hoard that is. Maybe it’s because deep down they didn’t trust that God would provide for them day after day. Deep down they weren’t sure about God. Are we any different?

Present Day Significance…

We are facing one of the greatest economic crises in history. We are a credit-based community and it has now reached a point where we are over leveraged and our debt must to be paid.

Who are we in the story? Are we the Israelites in need of saving? Yes. Are we the Egyptians who are held captive to a self-power driven, empire model of life? Yes.

In either role, we are a people being called to repent and a people called to the desert where we can once again learn that God is our sustenance. We are to relearn discipleship – a genuine following of and trust in Jesus.

What will we do? Where do we begin?

I believe that we are to examine our lives and make some changes. There needs to be an evaluation of our life that includes: what we buy, who we buy from, how much we consume, how much we give, etc…

We can begin by taking an inventory of our assets (money and goods). And, as we pray, we can consider what we need and what is genuine excess in our lives. This is not a “get rid of our junk” session. It’s a time to be honest with God and with ourselves about who and what we live for.

Next Step?

My conviction is that we are to take our excess and find some way to match it up with those who are in need. There are still questions (i.e. how do we determine who is in need? Or how do we find those who are in need?) that are unanswered, but this is version 1.0 of this conviction that God has given me. I share it with you for your feedback, your counsel, and potentially your support.

we always think that size determines our success or ability to influence. but it’s not necessarily true. i’m in the midst of reading and studying the book of James and he reminds us that destructive power is beheld in this tiny entity called the tongue. remember when we were kids and chanted the mantra, “sticks and stones will break our bones, but names will never hurt me!” i’m not so sure about that. i think that physical pain heals, but emotional scars can last a lifetime. i still remember when someone took a shot at my preaching by saying that “a dog could preach better.” i brushed it off, but it hasn’t left my memory. it’s a remark that somehow enhances an existing insecurity and makes it all the more difficult to move forward and grow. i also remember when a teacher long ago told me that she saw incredible success in my future. these words embedded hope and inspiration whenever i feel like a failure. words are absolutely powerful. they can inspire us to accomplish more than we ever imagined possible or they can kill our spirit to a point where we are physically immobilized. what words do you speak? do you give life? or do you destroy life? james calls us to tame our tongue. he questions how we bless God and yet curse people who are made in His likeness. And he tells us that this should not be so. know that your tongue has great power – power to kill or power to heal. and, know that what you speak changes our world!!!

Do you believe that “Love can change the world?” I think that we think it, say it, but don’t necessarily believe it or live like it. As I’ve been reading scripture, I’m constantly reminded about the power of love and the need to give it freely. I also am constantly reminded that it’s God’s kindness that leads us to repentance (change) and not control or manipulation. I still admit that I default at times to control games and subversive forms of manipulation to try and change people. As a parent, I sometimes have to punish my kids. But do I really think that punishment will change their behavior in the long run? I don’t think so. I believe that a moment of love has more power than years or even decades of judgement.

I was watching a clip from “les miserables” last week. It’s the opening scene where jean valjean is just released from prison (20+ years of hard labor for stealing bread) on his way to meet his parole officer and is invited into the home of a catholic bishop for dinner. Jean Valjean can’t believe that he’s being let in and keeps reminding the bishop that he’s a criminal, he just got out of prison, and he’s dangerous. The paper in his hand says that he’s dangerous. In the night, Jean has nightmares of his time in prison. He woke up remembering exactly who he is (or at least who he’s been told he is). Then he gets up and steals the bishop’s silver spoons and when he’s caught in the act, he knocks out the bishop and flees. The next morning, he’s caught by the police and brought back to the bishops home. When the police ask the bishop if he knows the man, he says, “yes.” And when asked if he really had given Jean the silver spoons as a gift (Jean’s story to the police), he says, “yes I did. But I’m very disappointed in you Jean. Why did you not take the candlesticks? They’re worth more than the spoons.” Then he draws up close to Jean and stares into his most humbled eyes and declares that he’s bought his life back unto God.

In this moment, Jean’s whole life is changed. Year’s of prison that was supposed to reform him did nothing but destroy his humanity. Yet, in a moment of radical love and radical grace, his life is changed forever. Love can change the world! And if we choose to love, perhaps we can be a part of changing it!

when people make intentional choices to do so. if you don’t alread know, last year i co-founded a non-profit organization called the dignitas project. we work to help restore dignity that has been lost or taken away by and from children of impoverished communities. our first project is in a slum area in Nairobi, Kenya known as Mathare. we work with the community and help catalyze indigenous leadership that will help improve education and life for the next generation. it’s an incredible privilege to work with some of the most passionate leaders i’ve ever

Students Taking Home New Textbooks

encountered. everyday, these young leaders give everything they have and everything they are to the betterment of Mathare. they are constantly investing the next generation. it’s humbling because i typically serve/volunteer/give out of my excess rather than my core. though some of these leaders may look to me for leadership and insight, i have learned so much from my fellow leaders on the ground. i’m writing to let anyone who reads this know that this week our partner schools have received new textbooks. textbook ratios for our schools were anywhere from 40-100 students to 1 textbook. no, it’s not a typo and yes, it is completely unjust or downright wrong!!! how can we create change? how can we help fight injustice in this world? how can we change the future for children who are radically affected by poverty? by making intentional choices of getting involved. change happens when we change our current course and give ourselves away… take a look at our current cause. we are still trying to raise more money to provide more textbooks. help us change lives today!!! go to our site and blog to donate or check out our cause on facebook…